TUCSON, Ariz. (June 19, 2026) – Some of the most vulnerable residents in southern Arizona are receiving the help they need to get back on their feet under a novel community program supported by Banner Health’s non-profit Medicaid plan.
The plan, Banner – University Family Care, works with Avant Recovery and Marana Health, supporting them with $475,000 in community investment grants, for a holistic approach to care and recovery for people struggling with mental health, substance misuse and homelessness.
“This partnership represents the future of integrated care – one that recognizes you can't treat someone's health in isolation from their housing, employment, and social support needs,” said Sarah Spiekermeier, chief executive officer and executive director of Medicaid for Banner – University Family Care.
The integrated model brings together transitional housing and employment support, medical and dental care, behavioral health care and comprehensive community-recovery support, including peer support and mentorship. The partnership is aimed at successfully transitioning people from psychiatric hospitalization, residential treatment, housing instability and the justice system to care and community connection.
One of the nation's largest fully integrated nonprofit health systems, Banner Health in 2025 granted $4.9 million to community groups across Arizona to support a sustainable care model that prioritizes prevention, manages chronic disease and reduces health spending – succeeding when patients stay healthy, not when they get sick.
Medicaid is the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) in Arizona.
“Banner – University Family Care took an unprecedented step,” said Aaron Avery, who founded Avant Recovery with the goal of bridging “recovery-to-community” gaps in services.
“The integrated model represents one of the most innovative Medicaid community wellness pathways across the nation,” Avery said.
Marana Health, a federally designated health center for underserved, low-income and uninsured populations, received a grant to support its oral health project, “Fix Your Teeth Fix Your Life Pilot Program.” Avant Recovery was awarded funding to continue the Banner Housing Scholarship Program, which provides supportive, recovery-focused housing integrated into Avant’s peer-driven community of daily practice.
Joshua Carzoli, chief executive of Marana Health, says providing all needed health care services in a single location is a key feature for vulnerable populations.
“Providing support for Avant members to become patients and access coordinated, whole-person care across multiple locations and services within our health center system is critical, as care is often fragmented for this population and there are many gaps,” Carzoli says.
About Banner Health
As one of the nation's largest fully integrated nonprofit health systems, we are pioneering a sustainable care model that prioritizes prevention, manages chronic disease, and reduces health spending – succeeding when patients stay healthy, not when they get sick. We operate 33 hospitals and more than 400 sites across six states, delivering seamless care from primary to quaternary medicine, including health insurance, physician networks, world-renowned specialty services, and behavioral health. Accountable to the communities we serve, we reinvest every dollar into advancing care, research, and facilities, providing more than $1 billion each year in community benefit. Through our partnership with the University of Arizona, we drive clinical discoveries across more than 800 trials and train more than 1,300 residents and fellows annually. Headquartered in Arizona, we serve Arizona, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada, and Wyoming. Our hospitals are consistently ranked among Arizona's top-performing by U.S. News & World Report. For more information, visit bannerhealth.com/about.
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